New site for Camerhogne Park

The famous Camerhogne Park at Grand Anse, St. George’s is to be relocated making way for construaction of the much talked about Riviera Hotel.

That’s the word coming from Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Keith Mitchell while delivering the 2016 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure at the Grenada Trade Centre.

Dr. Mitchell told the Lower House of Parliament that during the design phase of the Riviera Hotel, the investors have agreed “to construct a new Camerhogne Park” nearby.

However, the Prime minister did not give a precise location of the new park.
He also said the Vendors market along with the basketball and tennis courts at Grand Anse will be upgraded.

One year ago vendors at Camerhogne Park were issued letters by government to vacate the area.

At the time, the country was rife with “rumours” that Mitchell’s ruling New National Party (NNP) Administration had decided to sell the Park to an investor with Grenadian connection from the Lebanese Community to facilitate the five-star Riviera Hotel.

However, during a recent government constituency forum at Calliste Government School, Dr. Mitchell identified Egyptian Billionaire Naguib Sawiris who is currently constructing the Silver Sands Hotel as being the investor behind the Riviera Hotel.

Camerhogne Park, which is located in the vicinity of the world famous Grand Anse Beach, is used as a recreational facility for both locals and visitors.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mitchell gave his commitment to have the Botanical Gardens be renamed “Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens” in honour of the country’s first Prime Minister.
Last month the Act to amendment the Citation of the Botanical Gardens Act 1968 to be Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens Act 1968 and to rename the Botanical Gardens to the Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens was passed in both Houses of Parliament.

The Botanical Gardens is now the home of Government’s Ministerial Complex.

The Prime Minister also announced that Forts George and Frederick, along with Annandale Waterfalls and the Grand Etang National Park will be leased under contract to “capable firms and individuals.”

Reference was also made to the rebuilding of the Houses of Parliament.

Dr. Mitchell said the next phase of this project, which will see the actual construction, is expected to commence in January 2016.

He disclosed that an initial allocation of $10.1M has been made, and that subsequent to the meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance, that sum will be increased by an additional $3.4M.

The total cost of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2017, is estimated to be about $29M, and will be financed by the United Arab Emirates, the Government of Mexico, and the Government of Grenada.

Hurricane Ivan, in September 2004, destroyed York House, which used to serve as both the home for the Houses of Parliament and the No.1 high court.